It was where The Beatles played - and now a famous old Newcastle ballroom is set to rock once more.

Beatlemania hit Newcastle when the Fab Four performed at the former Majestic Ballroom, now a bingo hall, in Westgate Road twice in 1963.

The ballroom was turned into a bingo hall more than 25 years ago but the present operators Gala Bingo are planning to move to a new venue in Byker in the summer.

One of the UK's leading operators of live music venues, the McKenzie Group, is interested in taking over the building which is owned by the city council when Gala Bingo moves out.

The McKenzie Group owns and runs the Academy Group and venues include Carling academies in Brixton and Islington in London, in Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, along with the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, and the Bar Academy in Birmingham.

However, the move has angered people living nearby who fear rock concerts will add to problems with noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour.

The area already has a lively night scene and is popular with revellers but it also contains one of the biggest housing complexes in the city centre, the Crown flats with around 400 residents.

One resident, Bryan Allen, 45, said: "It's beyond belief. We already suffer enough problems with all the licensed premises and takeaways in the area but this will make matters worse."

Mr Allen, who lives in Clayton Street West, said residents were already upset at plans for another new takeaway nearby when they heard about the rock venue.

"There is only so much people can take," said Mr Allen. "There will be objections and we can only hope common sense prevails but we get fed-up with objecting to what is happening in this area. Nobody seems to listen to us."

Local councillor Nick Forbes said they consulted residents as soon as they heard about the proposal.

"We've had a lot of letters back saying they don't want this near their homes," said Coun Forbes.

"Residents are sick and tired of noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour and I am very concerned a development like this will add to their problems."

Coun Forbes said the nearby arena has better parking and is further away from the residential area and all three local councillors are opposed to the new proposal.

In a statement, Gala Bingo said: "Gala Bingo can confirm it is proposing to relocate its Westgate Road club to a new and improved site in Byker. The new club is due to open in summer 2005.

"Until such time Gala Bingo will continue trading at the existing site and is unable to comment on any future plans for the building."